Rhode Island State Flag
Fact-checked • Updated January 15, 2025
Rhode Island State Flag
Rhode Island adopted its current state flag on November 1, 1897, displaying a gold anchor surrounded by thirteen gold stars on a white field. A blue ribbon beneath the anchor bears the motto Hope. The design traces back to Rhode Island's seal from the 1640s.
What Is the Rhode Island State Flag?
The Rhode Island state flag is the official banner representing the state of Rhode Island. A white field holds a gold anchor at the center. Thirteen gold five-pointed stars circle the anchor.
A blue ribbon sits below the anchor. The word Hope appears in gold letters on the ribbon. Three edges of the flag are edged with golden fringe except the hoist. The flag is nearly square at four feet ten inches by five feet six inches.
Rhode Island adopted the current design on November 1, 1897. The General Assembly passed legislation during the January session of 1897. This version returned to a white field after an earlier blue design.
Meaning of the Rhode Island State Flag
The Rhode Island state flag meaning connects to the state's colonial history and founding principles. The anchor and Hope motto appeared on Rhode Island's seal as early as the 1640s.
The anchor represents hope and maritime commerce. Howard Chapin of the Rhode Island Historical Society traced the motto to a biblical verse. Hebrews 6:18-19 reads Hope we have as an anchor of the soul. Rhode Island's earliest colonists fled religious persecution in Massachusetts.
History of the Rhode Island State Flag
Rhode Island adopted its first official state flag on March 30, 1877. The flag featured a white background with a red shield at the center. A blue anchor appeared on the shield with the word Hope inscribed on it. Thirty-eight blue stars encircled the shield. The design matched the white facings on state militia uniforms.
The state adopted a second flag on February 1, 1882. This version changed to a blue field. Thirteen gold stars encircled a gold anchor. The number of stars dropped from thirty-eight to thirteen representing the original colonies. Rhode Island was the thirteenth state to ratify the Constitution.
The Rhode Island General Assembly adopted the current flag on November 1, 1897. Legislation passed during the January session of 1897. The design returned to a white field. The Hope motto reappeared on a blue ribbon below the anchor. The thirteen gold stars remained in a circle around the anchor.
The flag statute specifies precise measurements. The anchor stands twenty-two inches high. The blue ribbon measures twenty-four inches long and five inches wide. The pike must be nine feet tall with a spearhead on top.
Previous Versions of the Rhode Island State Flag
State Flag
A white field with a red shield containing a blue anchor and the word Hope. Thirty-eight or thirty-nine blue stars surrounded the shield.
State Flag
A blue field with a gold anchor surrounded by thirteen gold stars representing the original colonies.
Modern State Flag
A white field with a gold anchor, thirteen gold stars, and a blue ribbon bearing the motto Hope.
Symbols of the Rhode Island State Flag
Rhode Island State Flag Anchor
A gold anchor stands at the center of the flag. The anchor measures twenty-two inches high according to statute. It represents hope and maritime heritage.
The anchor appeared on Rhode Island's seal as early as the 1640s. It connects to the biblical phrase about hope as an anchor of the soul. Rhode Island's economy depended heavily on maritime commerce.
Rhode Island State Flag Stars
Thirteen gold five-pointed stars form a circle around the anchor. The stars represent the original thirteen colonies. Rhode Island was the thirteenth state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Earlier flag versions used different numbers of stars. The 1877 design showed thirty-eight or thirty-nine stars representing all states in the Union at that time. The number changed to thirteen in 1882.
Rhode Island State Flag Motto
A blue ribbon beneath the anchor displays the state motto Hope in gold letters. The ribbon measures twenty-four inches long and five inches wide. Hope has served as Rhode Island's motto since colonial times.
The motto traces to Hebrews 6:18-19 which mentions hope as an anchor of the soul. Rhode Island's founders fled religious persecution seeking hope for a better life.
Rhode Island State Flag Colors
The Rhode Island state flag uses white, gold, and blue. Rhode Island is one of the few states with a white field. Rhode Island statute does not provide Cable or Pantone values for the flag colors.
White forms the background field. Gold appears on the anchor, stars, motto lettering, and fringe. Blue colors the ribbon beneath the anchor.
Rhode Island State Flag Facts
- Rhode Island adopted its current state flag on November 1, 1897
- The flag is nearly square with dimensions of 4 feet 10 inches by 5 feet 6 inches
- Thirteen gold stars represent Rhode Island as the thirteenth colony
- The anchor and Hope motto appeared on Rhode Island's seal by the 1640s
- The flag features golden fringe on three edges
- Rhode Island adopted two earlier flag versions in 1877 and 1882
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Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and historical databases.
Official documentation on Rhode Island state symbols and flag specifications • Accessed: January 15, 2026
Overview of the Rhode Island state flag and its symbols, including the anchor and stars • Accessed: January 15, 2026
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